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Chicken Soup for the Soul Classic Pate Beef Recipe Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
Chicken Soup for the Soul

Classic Pate Beef Recipe Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12

Evidence Fair
wet $3.35/lb

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

Chicken Soup for the Soul Classic Pate Beef Recipe is a wet food, a pate made with beef, chicken, and beef liver.

The formula features beef as the first ingredient, contributing to good protein quality and amino acid coverage. It also includes quality carbohydrate sources like brown rice and barley, and good fat sources with marine oil for EPA and DHA.

A significant watch item is the lack of an AAFCO statement, so its nutritional completeness isn't verified. It also contains carrageenan, a thickener linked to gastrointestinal inflammation in some studies, a concern for dogs with IBD.

Good fit for dogs who enjoy a beef-based pate. Less ideal if your dog has IBD or if you require AAFCO nutritional verification.

Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.

Who this is for

In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022  (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Golden Retriever, navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Beef anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus beef liver at position 4 (a natural taurine precursor).

Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.

Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.

Research informing this analysis

Methodology

The Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.

  • FDA, 2022
    cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
  • FDA, 2019
    diet composition· cited in 2 claims
  • NRC, 2006
    nutrient bioavailability

Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

At 58/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 19.5 points to the final number: Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage. The ceiling on this score is 59, set because the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement isn't disclosed on the retailer page (so our methodology can't verify the formula meets adult, growth, or all-life-stages standards). The fix path: the brand publishing the AAFCO statement. That would lift the cap and put this formula above the B-band line at 60.

What lifted the score

Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.

CQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI
What pulled it down

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF

Contains carrageenan. Plausible rodent colitis mechanism, no direct canine clinical evidence at food-grade levels. Concern elevated for dogs with IBD..

CIP
What sets this apart
  • Top quartile for DMB fat in Chicken Soup for the Soul's lineup (27.3%)
  • Bottom quartile for overall Sniff Score in Chicken Soup for the Soul's lineup (58/100)
  • Top quartile for protein quality in grain-inclusive wet foods (19.6/27)

Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.

Similar dog foods worth considering

Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.

Better match
Higher score, similar formulation
ACANA Classics Beef Pate Wet Dog Food, 12.5-oz can, case of 12
ACANA

ACANA Classics Beef Pate Wet Dog Food, 12.5-oz can, case of 12

68

Scores 10 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Best value
Lower price, comparable score
Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Pate Variety Pack Wet Dog Food, 13-oz can, case of 12
Rachael Ray Nutrish

Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Pate Variety Pack Wet Dog Food, 13-oz can, case of 12

54

$2.94/lb vs your seed's $3.35/lb (12% less) at a comparable score.

Worth a look
Different brand, different protein
Birdie & Louie Chicken & Turkey Flavored Canned Pate Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
Birdie & Louie

Birdie & Louie Chicken & Turkey Flavored Canned Pate Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12

59

Chicken instead of beef, 1 point higher, different brand.

Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • carrageenan
    Seaweed-derived thickener; some studies link it to gastrointestinal inflammation. Most common in wet foods but appears in some kibble gravies.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 41% ⓘ
Protein
9%
min (as fed)
Fat
6%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 41%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

36 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

    Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.

  2. 2
    beef broth

    Real broth. Adds flavor and moisture, signals the recipe leans on real meat.

    Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.

  3. 3
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

    Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.

  4. 4
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

    Position 4. Named organ meat this high is a strong build choice. Concentrated source of taurine, glutamine, and B-vitamins.

  5. 5
    brown rice

    Whole grain that's easy to digest. Steady carb energy plus a little fiber.

    Position 5: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.

  6. 6
    barley

    Whole grain with a low glycemic profile and some soluble fiber. Easy on blood sugar.

    Position 6: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.

  7. 7
    oatmeal

    Gentle on the stomach. Slow-release carbs and soluble fiber that supports stool quality.

    Position 7: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.

  8. 8
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  9. 9
    carrageenan Flagged

    Seaweed-derived thickener. Some lab studies suggest gut inflammation, but the evidence in pets is mixed. See why →

  10. 10
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet. See why →

    Position 10: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.

  11. 11
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  12. 12
    cassia gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Functional, no major concerns at typical inclusion.

  13. 13
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  14. 14
    dehydrated alfalfa meal

    Dried alfalfa. Fiber and trace minerals. Not exciting but it's a real plant ingredient.

  15. 15
    ground flaxseed choline chloride
  16. 16
    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

  17. 17
    olive oil
  18. 18
    salmon oil

    Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.

  19. 19
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  20. 20
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  21. 21
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  22. 22
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  23. 23
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  24. 24
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

  25. 25
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

Showing first 25 of 36. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

23 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.